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Two subfamilies of land planarians (Geoplanidae) are endemic to the Neotropical region, namely Geoplaninae (with 29 genera and 346 nominal species, most of which are from Brazil) and its sister-group Timyminae, with only two Chilean species. The systematics of these groups through morphology and molecular data (COI and 28S rDNA genes), including nine new Chilean species, is re-assessed in this study. The great morphological diversity of the Chilean species is congruent with the molecular trees and, accordingly, five new genera (Adinoplana , Harana , Myoplana , Sarcoplana and Transandiplana) are proposed, each characterized by putative synapomorphies. Seven new tribes are also erected (Adinoplanini , Gusanini , Haranini , Inakayaliini , Myoplanini , Polycladini and Sarcoplanini), each one monogeneric, except Geoplanini (which includes all genera under the current concept of Geoplaninae plus the Chilean Transandiplana) and Sarcoplanini (with Sarcoplana and the already known Mapuplana , Pichidamas and Wallamapuplana). Re-diagnoses of Geoplaninae, Timymini, Gusana , Inakayalia , Polycladus and Pichidamas are proposed and biogeographic remarks on Transandiplana are provided [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new Brazilian species of the neotropical land planarian genus Choeradoplana (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida: Continenticola: Geoplaninae) are described, making a total of nine species within the genus. All the new species share unique derived characters typical of the genus. Two of the new species exhibit important features representing morphological variations that were previously unknown for the genus: the dorsal cutaneous longitudinal muscle layer, as well as the ventral one, partially sunken into the parenchyma in one species, and the common ovovitelline duct approaching the copulatory apparatus ventrally in the other. As a consequence of these morphological variations, an emendation of the genus is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is one of the richest biodiversity hotspots of the world. Paleoclimatic models have predicted two large stability regions in its northern and central parts, whereas southern regions might have suffered strong instability during Pleistocene glaciations. Molecular phylogeographic and endemism studies show, nevertheless, contradictory results: although some results validate these predictions, other data suggest that paleoclimatic models fail to predict stable rainforest areas in the south. Most studies, however, have surveyed species with relatively high dispersal rates whereas taxa with lower dispersion capabilities should be better predictors of habitat stability. Here, we have used two land planarian species as model organisms to analyse the patterns and levels of nucleotide diversity on a locality within the Southern Atlantic Forest. We find that both species harbour high levels of genetic variability without exhibiting the molecular footprint of recent colonization or population expansions, suggesting a long-term stability scenario. The results reflect, therefore, that paleoclimatic models may fail to detect refugia in the Southern Atlantic Forest, and that model organisms with low dispersal capability can improve the resolution of these models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports that terrestrial flatworms, or Terricola, are sensitive to environmental changes and therefore might be excellent indicators of the conservation status of natural habitats. Two main questions: (1) is terrestrial planarian diversity affected by human disturbances, and (2) is there any species or group of species that indicates such disturbance? Study that took place at the National Forest of S?o Francisco de Paula, Brazil; Site that was originally covered by a mixed ombrophilous forest, but successive reforestations and selective logging that have modified the original landscape; Study of the Terricola diversity in the four main habitats in the study area: mixed ombrophilous forest (NA), ombrophilous forest with selective Araucaria angustifolia logging (N), A. angustifolia reforestation (A), and reforestation of Pinus elliottii (P); Results that indicate that: (1) Terricola diversity is inversely related to the degree of habitat disturbance; (2) there are species (Geoplana franciscana, Geoplana sp. 5, and possibly Geoplanidae 3 and Notogynaphallia guaiana) that prefer habitats located on the extreme right along the main axis of a detrended correspondence analysis ordination and therefore can be considered as indicators of well preserved, natural habitats; Species (Xerapoa sp. 1, Choeradoplana iheringi, G. marginata sensu Marcus and Geoplana sp. 2) that prefer more disturbed habitats, which may form biological indicators of such disturbances.